A Time in Quchi

In the sweltering heat of a Taipei summer, Kuan Hsiao-Pao—a ten‑year‑old with a chip on his shoulder and a tablet glued to his hands—receives an unexpected assignment: spend the break in the quiet hills of Quchi, Xindian, with his grandfather. The rural homestead, untouched by the hum of modern appliances, feels like stepping into another era. The air is scented with fresh earth and distant bamboo, and the rhythm of life is measured by sunrise, the chatter of cicadas, and the slow pull of the river rather than notifications and streaming videos.

At the tiny local elementary school, where only a handful of children share cramped desks, Hsiao‑Pao encounters classmates who navigate the world without screens. A warm‑hearted girl nicknamed Da‑Xiong (Big Bear) radiates optimism despite her modest background, while an orphan named Ming‑Chuan offers a glimpse of the simple joys that lie beyond the digital realm. Their friendships begin to tug at the boy’s insulated world, inviting him to trade his virtual quests for real‑world adventures—climbing trees, splashing in streams, and listening to the stories his grandfather weaves about the land and its enduring spirit.

The film settles into a gentle, nostalgic tone, blending the quiet humor of everyday mishaps with the subtle melancholy of a child learning to let go of familiar comforts. As the days stretch into weeks, the looming presence of a summer typhoon casts a soft, anticipatory shadow over the countryside, hinting at the inevitable challenges that accompany growth. Within this serene setting, Hsiao‑Pao discovers that the true lesson of the season may lie not in completing homework, but in reconnecting with the raw, untamed heartbeat of his heritage.

Last Updated: September 26, 2025 at 04:35